Office Work Safety on the Job

WORK SMARTWORK SAFE

Presented by:C.M. Saitta

Training Tasks for Office Work

• Outside and internal mail handling– Route and sort internal mail, prepare outside mail

• Develop written and oral communication skills– Telephone, email, written correspondence

• Operate office machines – Computers, copiers, fax machines

• Maintain and update office records– Schedules, filing, inventory and database systems

Pre-Test Questions – True/False1. Ignore unsafe work conditions they will

probably improve on their own.2. Your WBL Coordinator should not be

told about unsafe conditions.3. In an office there are no chemical

hazards to be concerned.4. Working on the computer hours on end

maintains good eyesight5. Dealing with upset customers and

deadlines can be stressful.

Appropriate Clothes

AppropriateWork Clothes

No JeansNo Sloppy Clothes

No Shorts or Tank Tops

GroomingAppear Neat and

Clean

Ask WBL if you are not sure

Safety Equipment

• Look around your office and locate all ways to exit safely.

• Look around for what could be a potential hazard.

• Look around to locate fire extinguishers and possible AED .

Computers

• Using a computer monitor for long periods of time can cause eye strain.– Position the monitor

correctly– Try to change positions

frequently– Have good posture– Take regular breaks

Electrical

Do not run extension cords Beware of overloaded electric

outlets Unplug electric coffeepots or

kitchen-type appliances when not in use.

Watch for frays or cracks in wires

Floors, Doors, Exits

• Know where all the exits are in your office.

• Know how to get out of the building without using the elevator

• Know how many doorways it is in the hallway to the emergency exit door.

Chemical Hazards

• Ozone from copiers and poor indoor air quality can be unhealthy. – Symptoms may

include breathing difficulty, headaches, dizziness

Ergonomic Hazards

• Repetitive use of keyboard and mouse can cause tendon and nerve problems including carpal tunnel syndrome.– Maintain good posture– Take regular breaks– Sit with wrists level to

keyboard to alleviate stress

Other Hazards

• Back pain from sitting for long periods of time.

• Stress from customers and deadlines.

• Sexual Harassment can cause emotional stress & fear in the workplace.

Fire

• Know which fire department to call and the telephone number.

• Know where fire extinguishers are located.

• Know how to reach exit if office was filled with smoke.

Robbery, Bomb Scares

• Ask your supervisor what the company policies are for bomb scares and robbery.

• You should know what to do BEFORE it happens!

Angry, Threatening Customers

• Ask your supervisor what the company policy is for dealing with angry or threatening customers.

• You cannot predict what will happen when you deal with the public, so you need to be prepared.

Reporting an Injury

• Always report an injury to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible!!

Post Test – True /False

1. To prevent overloaded electric circuits which can result in a fire, make sure there are enough electric outlets.

2. As a student in a WBL program, you do not need to report any unsafe conditions.

3. Be aware of all fire exits and locations of fire extinguishers.

4. No employee should be harassed on the job; know the policy for reporting harassment.

Post Test - Continued

5. Copiers create ozone, so they should be placed in rooms with good ventilation.

6. To help eliminate eye strain caused by computer use, change positions frequently, have good posture, and take regular breaks.

7. Employees should not handle or tamper with any electrical equipment/machinery unless instruction were given.

Post Test - Continued

8. Good housekeeping must be practiced at all times in the work area.

9. Communication is important with your supervisor, co-workers, and customers.

10.What you wear to the workplace is not very important.

Safety Web Sites

• http://bensguide.gpo.gov/subject.html (good site for kids)

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/adoldoc.html (good site for working teens)

• http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/environ/homeenvi.htm (good site for NYS safety for home, work, and outdoors)

• http://bensguide.gpo.gov/subject.html Great for kids

• http://www.cdc.gov/ni -osh/adoldoc.html Good site for working teens

• http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/environ/homeenvi.htm Good site for home, work, and outdoor safety information

Answers to Pre-Test

1. False – Report as soon as possible.

2. False – Always tell WBL Coordinator.

3. False – Chemical hazards do exist.

4. False – It produces eyestrain.

5. True – Both situations are stressful.

Answers to Post -Test

1. TRUE - Make sure there are enough electric outlets.

2. FALSE – You must report unsafe conditions.

3. TRUE 4. TRUE - No employee should be harassed

on the job; know the policy for reporting harassment.

5. TRUE - Ozone from copiers, copiers should be placed in rooms with good ventilation.

Answers to Post –Test (continued)

6. TRUE – Change positions frequently, have good posture, and take regular breaks.

7. TRUE – Receive instructions prior to use. 8. TRUE – Practice good housekeeping must

at all times. 9. TRUE - Communication is important10.FALSE - You are representing the

company, dress is very important.

Helpful Safety Sites

• http://bensguide.gpo.gov/subject.html (good site for kids)

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/adoldoc.html (good site for working teens)

• http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/environ/homeenvi.htm (good site for NYS safety for home, work, and outdoors)